1. A 24 hour trip to Cumbria reminded me how much I love the place. The Forest Side Hotel, described as a ‘fairytale gothic mansion’ in Grasmere, is a restaurant with 20 rooms and it’s quite simply lovely. From a tasting menu of knockout dishes, this Cumbrian plaice with mussels, salsify and wispy leeks showcased the kitchen’s talent most perfectly.

2. Breakfast the next day: a giant wedge of eggy bread with bacon and maple syrup.  Hangover fodder indeed.

3. Whilst in Cumbria we met Aidan Monks who owns Lovingly Artisan, a bakery who make the most perfect sourdough bread. We tucked into loaves of the stuff while watching a constant stream of locals popping in for supplies.

4. I decided to cook a mac n cheese from Anna Mae’s Mac n Cheese cookbook (you can buy from Amazon here). Plenty of grated cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella and Monterey Jack went into this and it was totally lush.

5. Recently opened Talli Joe on Shaftesbury Avenue serves Indian half plates and if this naan stuffed with cottage cheese is anything to go by, you should check it out. Read our full review here.

6. My first ever visit to Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill was most jolly – especially as we sat out on the terrace. This calamari and chips was simple but wonderful. That’s one fun place to have dinner.

7. Gin and sherry iced lollies kept London’s top chefs and restaurateurs cool at the annual Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards. The likes of Nigella, Giles Coren and Richard Vines won awards.

Join the conversation. Let us know what delicious things you ate last week by commenting below…